Leg lock for folding tables



'2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

BY @-u v Q Wayne F. Sin/Mersw. F. SMITHERS LEG LOCK FOR FOLDING TABLES Auomq:

July 23, 1957 Filed April5, 195s Juiy 23, 1957 w. F. SMITHERS LEG LOOK FOR FOLDING TABLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5, 1956 flN mm m a F e m 2% w 3 m w W N% W m 1 u mm I mm S m mm mm HR vm LEG LOCK FOR FOLDING TABLES Wayne F. Smithers, Stony Ridge, Ohio Application April 5, 1956, Serial No. 576,382

4 Claims. Cl. 311-99 This invention relates to the class of furniture and more particularly to such articles of a collapsible type such as folding tables, benches and the like.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel combination of parts which enables an article of furniture to be erected from a collapsed position to an extended position in a minimum period of time while providing a comparatively rigid arrangement of parts when the article of furniture is in an erected state. A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a leg lock for use in collapsible tables, benches, or the like which enables the legs of the article of furniture to be held in a substantially rigid manner.

Incorporated in this invention are brackets used in forming leg locks which cooperate with the U-shaped legs so that the legs can be readily folded beneath the table top or the like or may be extended to act as supports in a convenient and simple manner.

A further object of the present invention resides in the novel arrangement of parts wherein substantially U- shaped table leg members have bench supports pivotally attached thereto for receiving bench seats by pivoting the bench leg supports relative to the U-shaped table leg members and then pivoting the table leg members into a collapsed position, the entire table with the benches may be collapsed into a very small compass thereby permitting convenient storage.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this invention, preferred embodiments of the leg lock and of the folding article of furniture being shown in the accompanying drawings, by way of example, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article of furniture constructed in accordance with the present invention comprising a folding table and benches, parts of a. bench being drawn in section for showing the connections thereto with clarity;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view of a bracket utilized in the invention showing the connections to a leg and to a table top;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of the table top looking at the bracket and leg in elevational;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional detail view in an enlarged scale illustrating in particular the construction of the bracket;

Figure 5 is a partial elevational view of a modified form of bracket employing a spring pressed pin;

Figure 6 is a partial elevational view of a further modification of bracket;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a blank from which a further modification of bracket can be constructed;

Figure 8 is an elevational view illustrating the modified form of bracket as is shown in Figure 7 in use; and

Figure 9 is a sectional detail view illustrating the construction of the modified form of the bracket shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Patented July 23, 1957 With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 generally designates an article of furniture constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention. This article of furniture includes a table top 12 having a plurality of brackets at 14 and 16 depending therefrom. These brackets are preferably made of aluminum or other suitable material and may be pressed or otherwise formed from a single blank of material. They may have tapered lower portions as shown in Figure 1 or may be of an even substantially U-shape in crosssection at the lower vertically depending portions 18 thereof. The upper portions form lugs as at 20 through which screws or bolts as at 22 extend for securing the brackets 14 and 16 to the table top 12.

The vertically extending portions 18 of the brackets 14 and 16 are provided with recesses 24. These recesses 24 are of course in each of the sides of the U-shaped portion 18. Engageable with the brackets 14 and 16 are U-shaped legs 26 and 28 which have upwardly extending leg portions 30 and 32. In the embodiment of the invention as is shown in Figure 1, the leg portions 30 and 32 are resilient and thus deformable inwardly to the position as is'shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 before they are released so as to engage the brackets 14 and 16 Within the U-shaped portions thereof.

-Pins 34 and 36 extend through aligned apertures 38, see Figure 2, in the leg portions'30 and 32 and through apertures in the brackets. The pins 34 and 36 are adapted to align with the recesses 24. The pins 34 and 36 are headed as at 40 and lock nuts 42 are threadedly secured on threaded end portions of the otherwise smooth pins 34 and 36. When it is desired to collapse the article of furniture 10, it is merely necessary to press the resilient leg portions 30 and 32 inwardly to the position as is shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, and then pivot the legs 26 and 28 about the pins 34 and 36 as pivots. Then, upon release of the leg portions 30 and 32, they will spring back into engagement with the brackets 14 and 16 within the recesses 24 thus being locked by the resilient action of the leg portions 30 and 32 within the recesses 24 and against opening movement.

Pivotally attached to the U-shaped legs 26 and 28 adjacent the lower portions of the leg members 30 and 32 by means of bolts or pins as at 50 there are bench seat supports 52, 54, 56, and 58 which are of a tubular construction and adapted to fold inwardly beneath the legs 26 and 28 when collapsed.

Benches 60 and 62 having brackets as at 64 secured thereto are mounted on the bench support members 52, 54, 56 and 58, the brackets 64 having vertically extending portions 66 receivable within the tubular leg members at the upper portions thereof. Suitable screws 68 or the like may be used to secure the brackets 64 to the under surfaces of the benches 60 and 62.

When collapsing the entire article of furniture 10, it is merely necessary to lift the benches 60 and 62 off of the bench supports and then fold the bench supports inwardly. At this point the legs 26 and 28 may then be folded.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention as is shown in Figure 5, it will be noted that herein there is disclosed a coil spring which is positioned about the pin 34 and biases the head 40 of the pin and the leg 30. This spring 80 serves to hold the leg 30 within the bracket 14 whereby individual legs in lieu of the U-shaped assemblies can be utilized.

In the embodiment of the invention as is shown in Figure 6 a headed threaded pin 84 is utilized which headed threaded pin is provided with a head 86. A wing nut 88 or the like is threaded on the pin 84 and may be loosened to permit folding or opening of the article of furniture and may be tightened to hold the article of furniture rigidly in either an opened or closed position.

Referring now moreparticularly to the embodiment of the invention as is shown in Figures 7 through 9, it will be noted that herein the bracket 100 is formed from a single sheet of material having a generally rectangular portion 102 provided with an aperture 104 through which pin 106 can extend. Another rectangular portion 108 has apertures 110 therethrough for reception of fasteners such as screws 112 used to secure the bracket to another portion of an article of furniture such as the top 114.

Pairs of right triangular portions 116, 18, 120, 122, 124, and 126 having recesses 128, 130, and 132 therebetween respectively are integrally formed with the triangular portion 102'and folded at right angles with respect thereto. The recess 132 is adapted to receive the leg member 136 when the leg member is in an extended open position and the recesses 128 and 130 receive the leg 136 when it is pivoted to the closed position. Of course, legs such asthe legs 26 and 28 can be used in conjunction with the bracket 100 and if desired in lieu of the headed pins 106 which include heads 140 and lock nuts 142, suitable pins such as the pin 84 or the pin 40 provided with the spring 80 could be utilized.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A folding article of furniture comprising a top, opposed pairs of brackets depending downwardly from the under surface of said top, said brackets including substantially vertical elongated portions of U-shape in cross section, legs having end portions, the end portions seating in said brackets, pins extending horizontally through said brackets and said end portions, and recesses in said brackets in horizontal alignment with said pins.

2. A folding article of furniture comprising a top, opposed pairs of brackets depending downwardly from the under surface of said top, said brackets including substantially vertical elongated portions of U-shape in crosssection, legs having end portions, the end portions seating in said brackets, pins extending horizontally through said brackets and said end portions, and recesses in said brackets in horizontal alignment with said pins, said pins having head portions and threaded end portions, nuts threadedly secured on said threaded end portions.

3. A folding article of furniture comprising a top, opposed pairs of brackets depending downwardly from the under surface of said top, said brackets including substantially vertical elongated portions of U-shape in crosssection, legs having end portions, the end portions seating in said brackets, pins extending horizontally through said brackets and said end portions, and recesses in said brackets in horizontal alignment with said pins, said pins having head portions and threaded end portions, nuts threadedly secured on said threaded end portions, and springs yieldingly engaging said head portions and said end portions of said legs.

4. A folding article of furniture comprising a top, opposed pairs of brackets depending downwardly from the under surface of said top, said brackets including substantially vertical elongated portions of U-shape in crosssection, legs having end portions, the end portions seating in said brackets, pins extending horizontally through said brackets and saidend portions, and recesses in said brackets in horizontal alignment with said pins, said legs being of U-shape, said U-shaped legs being resilient with each of said pairs of end portions being deformable towards each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED .STATES PATENTS 2,001,438 Stuck May 14, 1935 2,690,942 Marcus Oct. 5, 1954 2,743,147 Howard Apr. 24, 1956 2,752,987 Smithers July 3, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 53,906 France Aug. 5, 1946 

